Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, has extended the deadline for submissions to its Annual Mena Green Building Awards 2017.

The deadline has been now extended to February 28, 2017, midnight (UAE time).

EmiratesGBC is now also offering sponsorship opportunities to entities that are focused on promoting the message of sustainable development to partner in the event that is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

Recognising organisations in the region for their innovative and outstanding sustainable building principles and practices, the awards are set to become one of the largest gatherings of industry professionals and researchers who are focused on promoting sustainable built environments.

The Mena Green Building Awards 2017 is supported by the World Green Building Council and organised in partnership with the Jordan Green Building Council and Lebanon Green Building Council. The honours will be presented in 15 professional categories in addition to the Dr Owainati Student Excellence Award specifically to a student from a recognised university in the UAE who has conducted exceptional research work in a subject related to green buildings in the Middle East.

Saeed Al Abbar, chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The number of submissions that we have received for the Mena Green Building Awards and their high standards and quality underline the remarkable innovation happening in the region. With the regional governments focused on promoting sustainable built environments, the enthusiasm shown by the private sector and researchers is deeply inspiring. The deadline for submissions has now been extended to provide the opportunity for more professional entities to take part in the awards. We are looking forward to more partnerships with socially responsible entities who want to be associated with the region’s flagship events for the construction industry aimed at securing a greener future for our coming generations.”

Submissions to the Mena Green Building Awards can be made till February 28, midnight (UAE time) and the shortlisted applicants will be notified on April 30. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony to be held at the Roda Al Murooj Hotel, Dubai on May 17.

The event will be audited by KPMG to ensure the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency.

Covering new buildings and retrofits as well as green products and services, the 15 professional award categories for the Mena Green Building Awards 2017 are: Green Building of the Year in four sub-categories: Commercial, Hotel, School and Residential; Sustainable Design of the Year; Facility Management Organisation of the Year; Contractor of the Year; Developer of the Year; Green Building Material/Product; Energy Management; Indoor Air Quality; Conventional Construction Materials and Water Management; Green Building Research Award; Retrofit Project of the Year; and Best Operations and Maintenance (existing buildings).

The awards categories are open to all organisations operating in the Mena region including public and private sector enterprises, associations, consultants and practitioners.

All applications must be completed and submitted via online submission (recommended) through EmiratesGBC website or awards email: awards@emiratesgbc.org; or hand-delivered (in electronic format) to the EmiratesGBC head office at: Al Joud Centre, M-20, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The application must include a maximum 10-page synopsis that covers the applicant’s details and project description, and other supporting materials.

For more details and to download the application form, log on to: emiratesgbc.org/awards/2017awards or email: awards@emiratesgbc.org.

TradeArabia News Service